Contraband Arrests at GDC Facilities

**MORE THAN 564 CIVILIANS AND 102 STAFF MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED
TO DATE FOR ATTEMPTING TO INTRODUCE CONTRABAND INTO GDC FACILITIES.**

1) On February 16, 2013, Visitor Tony Tatum and Samuel Pullen were arrested by the Ware County Sheriff's Department after the Ware State Prison Perimeter Patrol Officer observed them dropping off two cell phones, three cell phone chargers and 10 packets of tobacco at the perimeter fence.

2) On February 17, 2013 at Telfair State Prison, officers observed visitor Nakita Roberts buy a bag of chips, open them and place an unknown item within the bag. Visitor Roberts then placed the bag in the trash can. An officer went immediately to the trash to retrieve the bag and found seven small balloons filled with marijuana. The Telfair County Sheriff's Office was notified and arrested visitor Roberts. Visitor Roberts' car was then search and officers found 41 green dot cards and three cell phones.

3) On February 17, 2013, the Reidsville Police Department notified a Department Investigator that he had received information that a blue Ford Mustang with out of county plates had been observed at the Golf Course in Reidsville for the past two weekends. Contraband had been found in the vicinity of the area the vehicle was spotted. Surveillance was set up and a traffic stop was conducted. Civilian Rebecca Sanders gave consent to search her vehicle. Officers found a bag containing two packages of tobacco along with a box of sandwich bags. Civilian Sanders stated that she was at Rogers State Prison visiting an inmate. Civilian Sanders then consent to a search of her hotel room and officers discovered 44 packages of tobacco. Civilian Sanders stated that the tobacco was intended for the inmate she visited. Civilian Sanders was arrested.

The Department of Corrections is committed to identifying and
pursuing prosecution of those persons who attempt to introduce contraband
into state facilities.